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STATEMENT BY

AMBASSADOR DR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)

AT THE THEMATIC DEBATE ON STRENGTHENING THE ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY AND INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

23 JANUARY 2025

 

Co-Chairs,

 

Malaysia has the honour of speaking on behalf of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its Chair for this year.  I would like to thank the President of the General Assembly and the Under-Secretary General for General Assembly and Conference Management for their insightful briefings.    

2.         ASEAN remains committed to the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the General Assembly (AHWG).  We look forward to work closely with you, Co-Chairs, and with other member states to advance the intergovernmental negotiations on the Revitalization of the General Assembly.  We welcome the programme of work of the AHWG as outlined in your letter of 17 December 2024.  

 

 

 

Co-Chairs,

3.         The President of the General Assembly is the chief steward of the United Nations’ most representative organ.  Among the important roles of the President is to guide deliberations, foster consensus, and ensure the smooth functioning of this greatest assembly of nations, where all member states have an equal voice.  The President shoulders the crucial mandate of organizing the Assembly’s work, moderating debates, and representing the General Assembly in relations with other United Nations organs, member states, and external partners.  The President also bears the heavy responsibility of facilitating dialogue on critical international issues – on sustainable development, human rights and peace and security – while advancing multilateralism with the United Nations at its core.       

4.         In line with this, ASEAN strongly supports General Assembly Resolution 77/335, which among others seeks to strengthen the accountability, transparency, and institutional memory of the Office of the President of the General Assembly. 

5.         In this regard, the implementation of the resolution’s relevant provisions stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to greater transparency and accountability within the United Nations. By strengthening the Office of the President of the General Assembly through these concrete measures, we are not only enhancing administrative efficiency but also fundamentally reinforcing the democratic principles and good governance practices that must characterize the world's main deliberative organ.

Co-Chairs,

6.         Allow me to emphasize the following points:

 

 

 

 

Underrepresentation of women

7.         The underrepresentation of women in leadership positions within the United Nations, deserves our attention and immediate action.  Nominating more women as candidates for the President of the General Assembly is an ideal starting point if we are serious about enhancing gender equality, and fostering diverse perspectives that can lead to more inclusive and effective decision-making in the organization.  By appointing more women as its President, the General Assembly can reinforce its commitment to gender equality and empower a new generation of female leaders who can inspire positive change on an international scale. This proactive approach is essential for advancing a more equitable global community.  We hope that a woman will soon be elected as President of the General Assembly, signaling a progressive step towards gender parity in leadership roles.

Smooth transition and strengthening institutional memory

Co-Chairs,

8.         One of the key initiatives under the resolution is the transition workshop for the Office of the President of the General Assembly, which aims to revitalize the work of the General Assembly. This workshop is an essential opportunity for knowledge transfer and leadership continuity. By documenting and sharing the best practices developed by each President, we ensure that these valuable insights are passed on to their successors.

9.         The workshop will facilitate meaningful dialogue between incoming and outgoing Presidents, allowing them to exchange lessons on challenges faced and strategies implemented. This collaborative process ensures that key insights are preserved, enhancing the effectiveness of future presidencies. Ultimately, this initiative strengthens our institution’s credibility and resilience, empowering the General Assembly to continue addressing global challenges with dynamic, informed leadership, and this workshop should continue. 

Adequate funding and support for the OPGA

Co-Chairs,

10.       As we confront the challenges of chronic underfunding and delayed contributions, it is crucial to recognize the need for adequate support for the President’s office. Therefore, ASEAN continues to urge the Secretary-General to provide the necessary administrative, technical, technological, logistical, and protocol-related support for the Office of the President to effectively fulfill its mandates. The President bears significant responsibilities in guiding discussions on critical global issues, and without sufficient resources, it will become increasingly difficult to manage these extensive obligations.

11.       Additionally, we cannot overlook the importance of technical and technological support. Innovative technological solutions are vital for optimizing resources and enhancing operational capabilities. In a world where decisions must be data-driven, equipping the President’s office with the right tools to analyze and act on information is essential for effectively addressing complex challenges, from climate change to humanitarian crises and geopolitical conflicts.

Conclusion

Co-Chairs,

12.       In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm ASEAN’s strong support for the Revitalization of the General Assembly agenda and for your leadership as Co-Chairs of the AHWG. ASEAN, alongside other member states, is committed to playing a constructive role in advancing this crucial agenda. Our shared objective of a revitalized General Assembly is further reinforced by Action 42 under the Pact for the Future. Let us strengthen our collective efforts to achieve these important goals.

I thank you.